Unfamiliar Shapes & Dog Socialization

Wow, a lot of dogs seemed really wound up at the park today; there were extra scuffles, barking, and general energy. I think that all the excitement, schedule changes, and unfamiliar shapes (i.e. costumes) that come with Halloween were to blame.

Dogs don't change their shape dramatically by putting on outfits or costumes, and so they don't always know what to make of Darth Vader, dragons, or giant milk carton shapes suddenly walking the streets. It can make many of them nervous, and people sometimes forget that. Just one more reason to socialize your puppy/dog as much as possible --introduce them over and over in positive ways to people and things of all shapes and sizes, to bicycles, skateboards, wheelchairs, umbrellas, backpacks, headphones, shopping carts, etc.

Not sure how to socialize, or what that means? Just do a google search on "socialize dogs OR puppies" and you'll come up with a ton of stuff.

Pet Loss & Grief -- Leroy is gone

I learned that Leroy was killed yesterday: hit by a bus after he slipped his harness while out walking with his owner. Leroy, my beloved, trouble-making, utterly irresistible pug client. Client isn't even the right word -- I loved him like crazy. My heart aches. Not for him, but for myself, and for his owners, because we won't have him to cuddle with, talk about, and do stuff with anymore. Because he's dead, just like that.

I wish I could tell my dog that he's gone. She won't know, and for some reason I can't get that out of my head. She loved him, too, and I can't explain to her or give her something to smell that would let her know. I think I just need everyone to *know*. Know that he's gone. Know how much we loved him. Know how much it hurts.

I've lost dogs in my life before. It is incredibly painful, and the grief is sometimes worse if those around you don't understand why the loss of "only a pet" is so devastating. Luckily, I surround myself with other dog people. We understand. We get why it's so horrible each and every time, and also why it's so worth it anyway, to have these creatures in our lives, even for the short time they are here. (Also, here in SF we're lucky to have great resources like the San Francisco SPCA monthly drop-in pet loss support group. Link)

The owners and I were able to talk, cry, and reminisce tonight. Mostly cry. It was cathartic, but of course the grief is still there.

Leroy, you will be sorely missed. I will remember you as you were on our last outing together: we went to the beach at Fort Funston, and you played with the other dogs and ran around for hours, king of all you could see, and got so tired that you fell asleep nestled against my leg on the ride home, snoring, of course.

Halloween Pet Safety

Halloween is just around the corner, and here is a link to the ASPCA's tips to keep your pets safe:Link

Have fun, and for any of my clients and friends, I would love to see pics of your pets in costume, if you have them! Here is a pic of me and Luna from 2005; I was Little Red Riding Hood and she was the Big Bad Wolf in grandma's nightie.

Upper Douglass Park Clean-Up Day

I organized the first of (hopefully) many clean up days at Upper Douglass Park (see map here or photos of the park here), and the response was even better than I'd hoped. Over 30 people showed up to work this morning, and several people who couldn't make it today came earlier in the weekend and worked on their own.

Together, and with the help and direction of Brian, the gardener for the park, we picked up innumerable bags of dog poop, broken glass and other trash, as well as filled in holes in the field and patched gaps in the fence. The weather was beautiful, the dogs were well-behaved, and a good time was had by all!

My only mistake was not taking more pictures... I guess I'll have to remedy that next time. :-)